The Vivo plant, which employs more than 14,000 workers, had been closed for the last six days due to workers protest and work is due to begin on Friday. The violence began when the company handed over pink slips to 70 contract employees. On July 25, workers in large numbers ransacked a section of the plant and damaged mobile phones ready for distribution.
“Police has arrested six persons so far in the matter. More people will be questioned following access to CCTV footage installed at the unit,” Gautam Buddh Nagar’s superintendent of police (rural) Suniti said.
Vivo denied the allegation made by violent workers that said the company ended the contract without any prior information or notice. “We have strictly adhered to the rules and regulations of the contract, and are taking all the right measures to ensure a peaceful transition keeping their best interests in consideration,” the company said.
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have recorded tremendous growth in the last year. In fact, Chinese makers have captured more than half of the smartphone market in India, threatening Samsung for the No 1 place.
Chinese companies have also set up local units with government support and created thousands of jobs for Indian youth. In the last two years, 40 manufacturing units have been set up by smartphone manufacturers to garner maximum benefits of an exponential growth market. Companies such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Lenovo have their assembly plants in India.
